Hatch cover



Deen 26, 1939. L F MACKW 2,184,676

' HATCH covER Filed Nav. 18, 1937 @yen-? 2726517 We caa Patented Dec.26,` 1935 uNr'r'lsD"- STATES PATEN'rvlI-or-Fics James F. Mackin,Chicago, lll. V

Application November 18, 1937, Serial No. 175,185

. 9 Claims.

This invention relates to hatch covers for vessels and for use inclosing oor openings in situations similar to those `of the hatches inthe deck of a vessel, as for example, in warehouseoors. One 5 object ofthe invention is to provide a unitary cover and means for removing itreadily by mechanical power. Another object is to provide means adaptedto operate in conjunction'with similar means on other hatch covers sothat an l entire series of covers may be removed at one time. Anotherobject is to provide for replacement of the covers by mechanical means.The invention therefore consists in the combination of elements andfeatures herein described-and shown in the l drawing, as indicated bythe claims.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a hatch cover embodyingthis invention.

'Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

'20 Figure 3 is an'enlarged detail view showing inA side elevation, andpartly in section, the Biting means for releasing the hatch cover fromits coaming.

Figure A4 is a detail section taken as indicated at g5 line 4-4 onFigure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail elevation similar to Figure 3, showing a modifiedconstruction. A

Figure 6 is a detail section taken as indicated at line 6 5 on Figure 5.

In the drawing, the coaming is shown at I, formed with the usual baseflange 2, by which it is secured to the floor or decking, and having asecond flange 3, to support the cover. The cover is shown at 4, alsoprovided with a iiange 5, adapted to mate with the ilange 3 and, asindicated in Figure 3, the cover telescopesover the upper edge portion 5of the coaming which rises above its ange 3. If desired, a layer ofpacking material 1 may be interposed betweenthe anges 3 and 5 when thecover is in closed position. In that position the cover may be securedby any suitable fastenings, such as the eccentric clamping devices 8,each of which is attached to the under side of the coaming flange 3 by apivotal connection 9, so

that when the eccentric I0 is rotated to releasing position, the entireclamp can be swung downwardly about its\pivot 9 and will hangsubstantially within the outline of the base flange 2 of the coaming.

50. Extending adjacent the coaming at two sides ,55 ably of the angedtype. adapted to travel on the rails I I. The wheels I2'of one pair arecarried by bracket arms. I3, secured to opposite sides ofthe cover justabove its flange 5 "and extending forward1y,-that is, in the directionin which the cover will travel for removal from thecoaming I. .S Each ofthe wheels I4 of the'other pair is connected tothe cover 'Ibyfadjustable-means arranged for raising the-clover withrespect to theWheels I 4, high enough so "that its r`ear`edge will clear theupstanding rim 5 of the coaming, as 10 shown in Figure 3.` In the f ormillustrated in Figures 1 to 4, this adjustablel means includes a lpostI5, pivotally'attached to the cover at I5 and slidably guided betweentriangular Iframe plates' I1, which rise from the axle I8 of the wheelI4. 15-

The post I5 is formed o'n one face withgear teeth I9 and on the oppositeface with ratchet teeth 20.

A segmental gear 2l is carried on a shaft' 22 between the frame platesI1,and Said shaft is provided with a lever arm-23 upstandng in avertical 20 plane so that rocking of the arm 23 about the axis of shaft22 operates the gear 2I, forjraising or lowering the.post I5 intheguidewayformed by the plates I1 and thusserves for raising or loweringthe cover 4 with respect to the rear" edge of 25 the 'coaming 6. Whenthe cover is thus elevatedl it may be retained at such position by aratchet pawl 24 pivoted on a stud 25 and carried between lthe frameplates I1. The assembly comprising the plates I1 and the' adjustablepost I5 is con- 30 nected to the hatch cover'4 only by means of a singlepivot I6 and is pivotally supported on the axle I8 of the-wheel `I4;therefore, to stabilizethis support a tie rod 25v extends from the axlevI8 to the axle of the corresponding wheel I2 at the 35` l may extend toa suitable winch, and if thereare several hatches arranged-in a row onthe deck, the same cable may be attached to the operating levers 23 ofall the covers, so that by operation of lthe winch all the covers may beraised simultane- 5o ously and drawn forward to open the hatches.

The same cable, or a separate one, may extend in the opposite direction,as indicated at 28, for operation by a second winch to draw the cover orgroup of covers 4 back into position over the 55 hatches. Since only oneedge of each cover is elevated, the other edge will engage theupstanding rim portion t of the coaming, and the cover will be thusarrested in properly registered position. A reverse pull on theoperating cables will relieve the' pressure on the ratchet pawls 24 andthes'e may then be flipped out of engagement with .the ratchet teeth,permitting the covers to be lowered under control of the winch. Eachpawl includes a finger-piece 29 for this purpose.

When the covers have been replaced with their ilanges 5 resting on theanges 3 of the coamings, each cover may be secured by swinging thefasteners 8 up over the anges 5 and clamping them in locking position,as seen in Figure 2. To stiifen the flanges 3 of the coaming, I mayprovide vertical bracing flanges, as shown, between the flanges 3 andthe base flange 2, thus insuring a watertight engagement with the coveranges 5.

Figure 5 illustrates a modified structure for elevating the hatch'cover.In this case the operating lever 30 is integral with an arm 3l, which ismounted at its lower end on the axle 32 of the wheel I4. Thus, when thislever is swung about its fulcrum pivot 33, which is xed to the hatchcover 4, the arm 3l is shifted from the inclined position shown in fulllines in Figure 5, to the vertical position shown in dotted outline,thus elevating the fulcrum 33 and carrying the edge of the hatch cover Iupwardly, clear of the coaming. 'I'he arm 3| may carry a ratchet pawl34, engageable with ratchet teeth 35, xed to the flange 5'I of the.hatch cover. .A stop shoulder 36 may be associated '.vith the ratchetteeth 35 to limit the swing of the lever at its vertical-position, sothat when the lever arrives at its limit, further tension in the cable2'I- will operate to cause travel of the cover along the rails II.

It may be noted that in both forms of the invention herein illustrated,the fixed wheels I2 being carried on brackets -I3 which extend beyond'the rim anges 5 of the hatch coverl may be adjusted to standnormally just off the running lrails II when the cover is in closedposition.'

This will insure that thewheels will not interfere with clamping thecover rmly onto the supporting ange 3 of the coaming I. Then, upon thetilting of the cover, as itsopposite edge is y jacent the wheels I2, andwill come intocontactwith the rails immediately, or, in any event;shortly after the cover starts its shifting movement. Preferably,A theWheels I2 should be mounted so as to contact with the rails Ilimmediately upon the tilting of the cover,` so that it may be easilyrolled oif the coaming.' ToA insure this relation of the wheels I2 tothe track, they are shown carried on threaded posts. which are thusrendered vertically adjustable in the brackets I3 and which may be.secured at' any' position of adjustment by clamping nuts 13".

While there is shown and described herein certain specic structureembodying the invention, it will be manifestto those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, vand thatthe same is not limited to the particular form herein shown anddescribed, except in so far as indicated by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In combination, a coaming having an upstanding rim flange, aunitary hatch cover formed positioned to rest on said rails, one pairadjacent A upstanding ange -of the coaming so that the cover may beremoved bodily by travel along the 2. Incombination, a coaming having anup# standing rim flange, a unitary hatch cover formed to teleseope withsaid flange and outside thereof,

parallelrails extending respectively adjacent opposite sides of thecoaming, two pairs of wheels positioned to rest on said rails, on'ehpair adjacent one edge of the cover and the other pair adjacent itsopposite edge, bracket means connecting the one pair'to the coverinfixed relation thereto with their axis slightly beyond its edge,vertically extensible means connecting the other pair to the cover, andmeans for adjusting such connection sumciently to raise the adjacentedge clear of the upstanding ange of the coaming so that the cover maybe removed bodily by travel along the rails.

3. In combination, a coaming having an upstanding rim flange,- a unitarylatch cover formed to telescope with said ange outside thereof, parallelrails extending respectively adjacent opposite sides of the coaming, twopairs of wheels one edge of the cover and the other pair adjacent itsopposite edge, means connecting the one pair to the cover in xedrelation thereto, vertically extensible means connecting the other pairto the cover, and means for adjusting such connection upstanding ange ofthe coaming so that the cover may be removed bodily by travel along therails, together with horizontally movable actuat- .40 sufficiently toraise the adjacent edge clear of the ing means for said adjusting meansVincluding af -cable extending past the xed wheels in the die rectioninwhich the cover travels forr'emovalf, whereby tension on said cableserves to raisemthe" edge adjacent the said other wheels and a'ontinuedpull on the cable moves the cover alongw the rails.

4. In combination, a coaming having an upi standing rim ange, a unitaryhatch cover formed to telescope with said flange and outside thereof,

parallel rails extending respectively adjacent op- 55 posite sides ofthe coaming, a pair of Wheels se' cured to the cover adjacent ofedgethereof and in xed relation thereto, positioned to rest on j said rails,and a second'pair of w'heels positioned to rest onv the rails adjacentthe opposite edge of the cover, vertically extensible means connectingsaid second pair. to the cover and-means for adjusting such connectionadjustable suicientlyr to elevate the adjacent .edge clear of theupstand` ing ange of the coaming sothat the cover may.

be removed bodilyb'y travel along the rails, horizontally movableactuating means 'for said adjustingvmeans including a cable extendingpast the fixed wheels inthe direction inwhich the cover travels forremoval, whereby tension on 70 thus serving to hold said edge of thecover elevated when the tension on said cable is relaxed.

5. In combination, a coaming having an upstanding rim ange, a unitaryhatch cover formed to telescope with said flangeland outside thereof,parallel rails extending respectively adjacent opposite sides of thecoaming, a pair of wheels secured to the cover adjacent one edge thereofand in fixed relation thereto, positioned to rest on said rails, and asecond pair of wheels positioned to rest on the rails adjacent theopposite edge of the cover, vertically extensible means vconnecting saidsecond 'pair to the cover and means for adjusting such connectionsufliciently to elevate the adjacent edge clear of the upstanding flangeof the coaming so that the cover may be removed bodily by travel alongthe rails, horizontally movable actuating means for said adjusting meansincluding a cable extending past the iixed-wheels in the direction inwhich the cover travels for removal, whereby tension on said cableserves to raise the edge adjacent the said other wheels, and a continuedpull on said cable moves the cover along the rails; together withautomatic detent means opposing retraction of said vertically adjustableconnection and thus serving to hold said edge of the cover elevatedwhenthe tension on said cable is relaxed, and a second cable attached tothe cover and extending in the opposite direction from the first cablefor returning the cover to its position over the coaming.

6. In combination, a coaming having an upstanding rim flange, a unitaryhatch cover formed to telescope with said flange and outside thereof,parallel rails extending respectively adjacent opposite sides of thecoaming, two pairs of wheels positioned to rest on said rails, one pairadjacent one edge of the cover and the other pair adjacent its oppositeedge, means connecting the one pair to the cover in fixed relationthereto, vertically extensible means connecting the other pair to thecover, and means for adjusting such connections suiciently to elevatethe adjacent edge clear of the upstanding flange of the coaming so thatthe cover may be removed bodily by travel along the rails, and actuatingmeans for said adjusting means including an upstanding lever and a cableattached 'thereto extending horizontally past the fixed wheels in thedirection in which the cover travels for removal, whereby tension onsaid cable serves to rock the lever and adjust the connecting means toraise the edge of the cover adjacent said other wheels, and a continuedpull on the cable moves the cover along the rails. l.

1. In combination, a coaming having an upstanding rim flange, a unitaryhatch cover formed to telescope with said flange and outside thereof,parallel railsl extending respectively adjacent opposite sides of thecoaming, two pairs of wheels positioned to rest on said rails, one pairadjacent one edge of the cover and the other pair adjacent' its oppositeedge, means connecting the .one pair to the cover in fixed relationthereto, vertically extensible means connecting the other pair to thecover, and means for adjusting such connection suiiiciently to raise theadjacent edge clear of the upstanding flange of the coaming so that thecover may be removed bodily by travel along the rails, withactuatingmeans for said adjusting means including an upstanding leverand a cable attached thereto extending horizontally past the iixedwheels in the direction in which the cover travels for removal, wherebytension on said cable serves to rock the lever and adjust the connectingmeans to raise the edge of the cover adjacent said other wheels, and acontinued pull on the cable moves the cover along the rails, and asecond cable attachedto said lever extending in the opposite directionfrom the rst cable for returning the lever to its position over thecoaming, together with automatic detent means operting -independently ofsaid lever to retain the adjustable connectionV in position for holdingthe cover elevated when the tension of the first cable is relaxed and toprevent the tension of the second cable from lowering the cover.

8. In combination, a coaming having an -upstanding rim flange, a unitaryhatch j cover formed to telescope with said flange and outside thereof,parallel rails extending respectivelyad-` jacent opposite sides of thecoaming, two pairs of wheels positioned to rest on said rails, one pairadjacent one edge of the cover and the otherv pair adjacent its oppositeedge, means connecting the vertically extensible means connecting theother pair to the cover, and means for adjusting such connectionsufficiently to raise the adjacent edge clear of the upstanding flangeof the coaming so that the cover may be removed bodily by travel alongthe rails, and actuating means for said adjusting means including anupstanding lever and a cable attached thereto extending horizontally onepair to the cover in iixed relation thereto,

may be employed for returning the cover to its ff position over thecoaming.

9. In combination with a plurality of-hatches each comprising a coaminghaving an upstanding rim iiang'e and a unitary hatch cover formed to'telescope with said iiange and outside thereof, a

pair of rails extending respectively adjacent oppo Y I 5 site sides ofeach coaming, wheels on each cover positioned to rest on said rails andcomprising one pair of wheels adjacent one edge of the cover and anotherpair of wheels adjacentits opposite edge,-

means connecting theone pair to the cover in xed relation thereto,verticallyextensible means connecting the other pair to the cover, andmeans for adjusting such connection suiiiciently to raise the adjacentedge clear .of the upstanding flange of the coaming so that the covermay be removed bodily by travel along the rails, the elevated edge ofthe cover being shifted across the hatch opening by such travel; andcommon actuating means for operating said adjusting meansl of all thecovers simultaneously including a cable extending horizontally past thefixed wheels of all the covers in the direction in .which they travelfor removal, whereby tension on said cable serves to raise the edge ofeach cover adjacent its. said other wheels, and a continued pull on thecable moves the covers along the rails and clear of

